Systems and methods for distribution of power in a marine vessel, atvs, and vehicles

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a novel power distribution harness system provided as a unit for distribution of power from a primary power source.

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit to U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/926,039 filed Oct. 25, 2019the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a common difficulty that vessels in vehicles with a main powersource are not configured for aftermarket power distribution from thenative power source. Throughout the years many different Devices andtechniques have been used for marine vessels, all-terrain vehicles, andeven conventional motor vehicles. Most often, these devices andtechniques require labor-intensive connections and installations andsignificant skill in the handling of electrical wiring and components.There is a great need for a simple power distribution system that doesnot require labor-intensive connections and significant skill inhandling electronica wiring components.

The present invention addresses this issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a ready to use complete harness systemallowing for distribution of power from a main power source. Althoughfigures and examples here in refer to marine vessels, it is contemplatedthat the harness system of the present invention is suitable for aplurality of vehicles including conventional motor vehicles andall-terrain vehicles.

There are a very significant and large number of combinations relatingto suitable wire cables and suitable fuse arrangements.

The present invention was not merely simple substitution and trial anderror.

A significant amount of research was undertaken and completed in orderto arrive at the specific combination providing 4 AWG wire and 20 ampfuses.

In one embodiment, the invention is a harness system for powerdistribution, said system comprising:

-   -   a first closed end lug and second closed end lug each        independently connected to a first multi connector cable and        second multi connector cable respectively;    -   Said second multi connector cable being split into two distinct        wires with each connected to a blade fuse;    -   Said two distinct wires connected each to a first opening of        firsthand lock connector and first opening secondhand lock        connector respectively;    -   a second set of distinct cable wires each connected respectively        to a second opening of firsthand lock connector and a second        opening of secondhand lock connector respectively;    -   wherein each of first multi connector cable and second multi        connector cable are ultimately connected respectively to first        terminating hand lock connector and second terminating hand lock        connector third terminating hand lock connector and fourth        terminating hand lock connector.

In one embodiment, the invention is configured such that each of saidcable wires are 4 AWG.

In one embodiment, the invention is configured such that said bladefuses are 20 amp.

In one embodiment, the invention is configured such that of said firstclosed end lug and second closed end lug are attached to a primaryvehicle battery source.

In one embodiment, the primary vehicle battery source is the batterysource on a marine vessel.

In one embodiment, the invention is harness system for powerdistribution in a marine vessels, said system consisting of:

-   -   a first closed end lug and second closed end lug each        independently connected to a first multi connector cable and        second multi connector cable respectively that are 4 AWG;    -   said second multi connector cable being split into two distinct        wires with each connected to a blade fuse 20 amp;    -   said two distinct wires connected each to a first opening of        firsthand lock connector and first opening secondhand lock        connector respectively;    -   a second set of distinct cable wires each connected respectively        to a second opening of firsthand lock connector and a second        opening of secondhand lock connector respectively;    -   wherein each of first multi connector cable and second multi        connector cable are ultimately connected respectively to first        terminating hand lock connector and second terminating hand lock        connector third terminating hand lock connector and fourth        terminating hand lock connector, wherein each of said first        closed end lug and second closed end lug are attached to a        primary marine vessel battery source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of conventional electrical distribution systems.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an electrical distribution system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a conventional electrical system 10 for a boat. The systemhas a battery 12 that is electrically coupled to a circuit protection 15by a pair of wires for carrying a direct-current (DC) power signal tothe circuit protection 15. The circuit protection 15 is electricallycoupled to various loads 18, such as lights, pumps, motors, or otherelectrical equipment that may be used on the boat. The circuitprotection 15 passes current of the power signal through a plurality offuses for distribution of power to the loads 18. The circuit protection15 is also electrically coupled to a conventional fish finder 22 that isconfigured to find fish and display the locations of the fish, asdescribed above.

The loads 18 may draw power from the battery 12 through the circuitprotection 15 in a sporadic manner causing fluctuations in the currentand voltage of the power signal provided to the fish finder 22. Thesefluctuations at the input of the fish finder 22 are exacerbated by thefact that power delivered to the loads of the boat, including the fishfinder 22, share the same electrical conduit, such as the same bus orcable connecting the circuit protection 15 to the battery 12. Further,over time, the voltage and/or current output by the battery 12 maydecrease as the energy in the battery 12 is depleted. Moreover, thefluctuations in the power signal can adversely affect the performance ofthe fish finder 22. In some cases, the power delivered to the fishfinder 22 can undesirably fall below the power specifications of thefish finder 22. As a result of the fluctuations, the image displayed bythe fish finder 22 can become distorted making it more difficult for auser to identify or locate fish based on the image.

In addition, the distortions and performance problems of the fish finder22 caused by the power fluctuations may be transient, depending on thecurrent levels drawn by other loads 18 of the boat and the level ofenergy remaining in the battery 12, making it difficult determine thesource of the problem or making performance of the fish finder 22unpredictable.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary electrical system 30 that powers a fishfinder 22 through an electrical connection that bypasses the circuitprotection 15. Although the figure demonstrates use with a fish finder,the invention is not limited in scope to this single component.

In the embodiment show by FIG. 2, the fish finder 22 is electricallycoupled to the battery 12 through a separate cable system 33 that is notused for power the other loads 18. The cable system 33 of FIG. 2comprises a switch 41, filter 42, and regulator 43 that are electricallyand serially connected to each other by wires. As an example, eachcomponent of the cable system 33 may be connected to the next electricalcomponent by a pair of wires (or other numbers of wires) that are boundwithin a cable. Thus, a power signal from the battery 12 passes throughthe cable system 33 for powering the fish finder 22 via an electricalpath that bypasses the circuit protection 15. If desired, the cablesystem 33 may be electrically coupled to the same battery terminals asthe circuit protection 15.

Since the fish finder 22 is connected to the battery 12 via anelectrical path that bypasses the circuit protection 15, fluctuations inthe power signal received by the fish finder 22 should be lesspronounced. In addition, as will be described in more detail below, thecable system 33 includes components that help to reduce or mitigate thefluctuations so that a more stable power signal is provided to the fishfinder 22.

In this regard, the filter 42 is configured to filter fluctuations inthe power signal to provide an output that is smoother and more stablerelative to the power signals distributed by the circuit protection 15to the loads 18. Further, the regulator 43 is configured to regulate thevoltage and current of the received power signal to provide an outputthat has substantially constant current and voltage. As an example, theregulator 43 may be implemented by a DC-to-DC converter that isconfigured to receive a DC signal and output a DC signal at a constantvoltage and current. Notably, the DC-to-DC converter outputs asubstantially constant voltage and current event when the input of theDC-to-DC converter fluctuates.

The switch 41 is configured to transition between an open circuit stateand a short circuit state based on manual input by a user. Duringoperation of the fish finder 22, the switch 41 may be controlled to bein the short circuit state, thereby providing a short circuit forcurrent to pass. When operation of the fish finder 22 is no longerdesired, the user may control the switch 41 to transition it to the opencircuit state so that the fish finder 22 is electrically isolated fromthe battery 12. In the open circuit state, the switch 41 prevents thefish finder 41 from drawing current from the battery 12, therebyconserving the energy within the battery 12 for other uses. This may bedesirable since the fish finder 22 may continue to draw a small amountof current even when turned off. If desired, the cable system 33 mayinclude in-line fuses (not shown) to help prevent unusually highvoltages or currents.

The filter 42 and regulator 43 help to suppress fluctuations in thepower signal caused by the loads 18 and other factors so that a stablepower signal having a relatively constant voltage and current isprovided to the fish finder 22. In addition, the regulator 43 can bespecifically designed to provide a constant output power that satisfiesthe power specifications of the fish finder 22. As a result, the fishfinder 22 should receive a power signal that is more stable andconsistent with its power requirements so that the operation andperformance of the fish finder 22 is less affected by the loads 18.Specifically, since the cable system 33 eliminates or reducesfluctuations in the power signal delivered to the fish finder 22, theimage displayed by the fish finder 22 should be less distorted relativeto the embodiment shown by FIG. 1.

If desired, existing boats having the electrical system 10 shown by FIG.1 can be easily retrofitted to provide the system 30 shown by FIG. 2. Inthis regard, the fish finder 22 of FIG. 1 may be disconnected from thecircuit protection 15 and connected to the battery 12 using the cablesystem 33, as shown by FIG. 2. Addressing the performance issues of thefish finder 22 in this manner may be considerably less expensive thanother possible solutions.

As an example, it is possible to alleviate the performance issues of thefish finder 22 of FIG. 1 by adding more batteries 12 to provide morepower through the circuit protection 15. However, the cost of addingmore batteries or upgrading the battery 12 to provide more power islikely much greater than the cost of the components of the cable system33.

As generally understood and demonstrated in FIG. 3, system 50 of thepresent invention has a first closed end lug 52 and a second closed andlug 54 constructed and arranged for connection to a primary electricalsource. In a marine vessel, all-terrain vehicle, or conventional motorvehicle this would be the main battery. In one preferred embodiment,these lugs are provided as connected to wire in a standard for thediameter (gauge) of round drawn wire, being the American Wire Gauge(AWG) as 4 AWG. The size is commonly known as the smallest AWG size is40 and the largest is 0000. A 4 AWG is known to be 21.2 mm diameter.

First closed end lug 52 is connected to first multi conductor cable wire56. One preferred body meant first multi conductor cable wire 56 isprovided having a cable weight of 230 LBs/MFT.

First closed end lug 54 also has this cable wire but is split in two asdemonstrated in FIG. 3 with each individual wire connected to a firstblade fuse 58 and a second blade fuse 60. Each of the first blade fuse58 and second blade fuse 60 in a preferred embodiment are 20-amp fuses.Cable wire exits each of the first blade fuse 58 and second blade fuse60 and is connected to first hand lock connector 62 and second hand lockconnector 64.

In a preferred environment, each a first hand lock connector 62 andsecond hand lock connector 64 are available commercially under thebrand-name Posi-lock®.

Exiting each of first hand lock connector 62 and second hand lockconnector 64 are first cable 68 and second cable 69. Each of thesecables are constructed and arranged to be identical to first multiconductor cable wire 56.

As demonstrated in the FIG. 3, the four cables are encased in cover 70.Emanating outward from cover 70 are first exit cover 72 and second exitcover 78. As can be seen in FIG. 3, first outlet cover 72 has firstmulti conductor cable wire 56 contained therein and second exit cover 78contains the combined are first cable 68 and second cable 69.

First multi conductor cable wire 56 is ultimately split into twoseparate wires and terminates in first terminating hand lock connector74 and second terminating hand lock connector 76.

Extending from second exit cover 78 is first cable 68 and second cable69 that ultimately terminate in third terminating hand lock connector 86and fourth terminating hand lock connector 84 respectively as shown FIG.3.

The system of the invention provides novel advancements over anycurrently known or used system in the following areas:

-   -   A) Multiple fish finders and accessories can be provided        sufficient, clean power on one wiring harness;    -   B) Multiple speakers and amplifiers can be provided sufficient,        clean power on one wiring harness;    -   C) The hand lock or Posi-Lock® connectors allow for an easy,        non-crimp application that erases the potential for voltage drop        and corrosion;    -   D) Every part of the harness is made with copper tinned coated        wire and connectors to eliminate possibilities for corrosion in        any outdoor or marine environment including salt water;    -   E) First and only harness made to allow for a single pull        application thru a vessel, atv, or vehicle to power marine        electronics, electrical accessories, amplifiers and speakers;    -   F) The harness is made with sufficient wire strands to carry        power to marine electronics and accessories over a 26-foot run;    -   G) Harness allows one to bypass bus bars while still being able        to distribute adequate, clean power to multiple marine        electronics and/or amplifiers and speakers;    -   H) Harness increases battery life of cranking battery by        preventing multiple electronics from draining cranking batteries        down too far and causing failure in 6-8 months.

The following are illustrative as to method of use of the presentinvention

METHOD 1

Instructions for Installation in a Marine Vessel

Step 1: Remove bow panel from boat.

Step 2: Remove panel from console

Step 3: Run electrical snake from bow of the vessel down the starboardgunnel to the transom of the vessel back by the batteries.

Step 4: Remove hand lock/posi-lock connectors and tape the 13 foot runthat goes to the console to the 26 foot line that goes to the bow

Step 5: Tape the 26 foot line to the electrical tape ran to the back ofthe boat

Step 6: Pull the harness thru the boat till the long run reaches the bowof the boat

Step 7: Pull the 13 foot line out at the dash as much as possible to getthat line into the console panel

Step 8: Pull the rest of the long run out at the bow

Step 9: Strip back power wire hot and ground wires

Step 9: Attach corrosion resistant in-line fuse holders to each hot sideof power wires by unscrewing the end of the hand lock/posi-lockconnector and inserting the hot wire(s) thru the end of the handlock/posi-lock that screws off and into the middle portion of the handlock/posi-lock and screwing it down

Step 10: Insert ground wire(s) in other hand lock/posi-lock byunscrewing the end of the hand lock/posi-lock connector and insertingthe ground wire(s) thru the end of the hand lock/posi-lock that screwsoff and into the middle portion of the hand lock/posi-lock and screwingit down

Step 11: Unscrew the other end of the hand lock/posi-lock and reattachthe posi-lock back the harness the same way as you connected the fusesand ground wires.

Step 12: Repeat step 10 and 11 for the power sources at the console

Step 13: Attached the eye-let with the two hots at the back of theharness to the back of the on/off switch

Step 14: Attach jumper to the opposite post on the back of the on/offswitch with switch turned off

Step 14: Attach the other end of the jumper to the hot post on thecranking battery

Step 15: Attach the eye-let with the two grounds straight to the groundterminal on the cranking battery

Step 16: Turn switch on and power up power sources

METHOD 2

Step 1: Run harness as need from point of contact for amplifier andspeakers to battery source

Step 2: Strip back power wires for amplifiers and speakers

Step 3: Attach hot(s) and ground(s) to hand lock/posi lock in the samemanner as explained in steps 9-11 for the marine vessel application

Step 4: Insert ground wire(s) in other hand lock/posi-lock by unscrewingthe end of the hand lock/posi-lock connector and inserting the groundwire(s) thru the end of the hand lock/posi-lock that screws off and intothe middle portion of the hand lock/posi-lock and screwing it down

Step 5: Unscrew the other end of the hand lock/posi-lock and reattachthe hand lock/posi-lock back the harness the same way as you connectedthe fuses and ground wires.

Step 6: Repeat step 4 and 5 for the power sources at the console

Step 7: Attached the eye-let with the two hots at the back of theharness to the back of the on/off switch

Step 8: Attach jumper to the opposite post on the back of the on/offswitch with switch turned off

Step 9: Attach the other end of the jumper to the hot post on thecranking battery

Step 10: Attach the eye-let with the two grounds straight to the groundterminal on the cranking battery

Step 11: Turn switch on and power up power sources

While the invention has been described in its preferred form orembodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that thisdescription has been given only by way of example and that numerouschanges in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, includingthe combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A harness system for power distribution, said systemcomprising: a first closed end lug and second closed end lug eachindependently connected to a first multi connector cable and secondmulti connector cable respectively; Said second multi connector cablebeing split into two distinct wires with each connected to a blade fuse;Said two distinct wires connected each to a first opening of firsthandlock connector and first opening secondhand lock connector respectively;a second set of distinct cable wires each connected respectively to asecond opening of firsthand lock connector and a second opening ofsecondhand lock connector respectively; wherein each of first multiconnector cable and second multi connector cable are ultimatelyconnected respectively to first terminating hand lock connector andsecond terminating hand lock connector third terminating hand lockconnector and fourth terminating hand lock connector.
 2. The harnesssystem of claim 1 wherein each of said cable wires are 4 AWG.
 3. Theharness system of claim 1 wherein said blade fuses are 20 amp.
 4. Theharness system of claim 1 wherein each of said first closed end lug andsecond closed end lug are attached to a primary vehicle battery source.5. In one embodiment, the invention is harness system for powerdistribution in a marine vessels, said system consisting of: a firstclosed end lug and second closed end lug each independently connected toa first multi connector cable and second multi connector cablerespectively that are 4 AWG; said second multi connector cable beingsplit into two distinct wires with each connected to a blade fuse 20amp; said two distinct wires connected each to a first opening offirsthand lock connector and first opening secondhand lock connectorrespectively; a second set of distinct cable wires each connectedrespectively to a second opening of firsthand lock connector and asecond opening of secondhand lock connector respectively; wherein eachof first multi connector cable and second multi connector cable areultimately connected respectively to first terminating hand lockconnector and second terminating hand lock connector third terminatinghand lock connector and fourth terminating hand lock connector, whereineach of said first closed end lug and second closed end lug are attachedto a primary marine vessel battery source. 6.